Straighterline And Regent Education Partner to Provide True College Cost Transparency

    BALTIMORE, MD, March 23, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ -- StraighterLine (www.straighterline.com) announced today that it will offer its students and prospects access to Regent SNAP, an online solution that provides in real-time the answer to the most important question on a prospective college student's mind: "Can I afford to go to this college?"

StraighterLine has partnerships with approximately 20 regionally accredited colleges and universities. StraighterLine students who plan to attend one of those schools, or any college that accepts StraighterLine courses for transfer credit upon enrollment, will be able receive an estimate for their likely financial aid award. With this information, students can better understand whether they can afford a particular institution, plus see how much they can save on their intended college degree with StraighterLine online college courses.

StraighterLine offers 15 entry-level college courses which are accepted at its partner schools via specific articulation agreements and for transfer credit at other colleges and universities pursuant to the transfer policies at those institutions. For a student who meets all the school admissions requirements and successfully completes one or more of StraighterLine's courses, it's easy to save money. That's because with StraighterLine, students pay only $99 per month plus $39 per course started - and move as quickly or slowly through the material as they like.

Currently, StraighterLine's entry-level college courses online include College Algebra, Pre-Calculus, Calculus, Business Writing, Introduction to Biology for non-majors, Introduction to Biology for non-majors with a lab, General Chemistry I, General Chemistry I with a lab, English Composition I, English Composition II, Accounting I, Accounting II, Macroeconomics, Microeconomics and Business Statistics, with more to be offered soon, plus two developmental courses (Writing and Math).

With so many college options, students can take control of the college enrollment experience in ways that have never been possible previously," says Burck Smith, StraighterLine's CEO. "StraighterLine helps students start and prepare to succeed at college more affordably and with lower risk than ever before. SNAP provides the information about what it will cost and what students should expect to pay so they can make an informed decision on their best next step."

"We're very pleased to work with StraighterLine to offer their customers an innovative solution to determine college affordability," says Randy Jones, CEO of Regent Education. "In today's marketplace, answering questions about available financial aid in real-time can transform initial interest into actual enrollment. Our solution offers students a meaningful answer in about 15 minutes or less-compared to current turnaround times of days or even weeks."

About Regent

Within the for-profit and private education market, Regent offers solutions specifically designed to address the unique needs of that industry-including automated awards for academic programs with monthly or frequent starts, clock-hour, even non-term, borrower-based award years (BBAY)-quickly and effectively. Processes that took weeks now take minutes. Outsourced services can now be cost-effectively managed in-house.

Since 2005, Regent has been an industry leader in financial aid software and recognized for results-driven enrollment optimization and financial aid management solutions-solutions that are web-based, easy-to-use, and interoperate with any existing student information system. Regent offers software-as-a-solution tools that help for-profit and private education institutions increase enrollment, improve retention, speed student processing, mitigate compliance risks and deliver bottom-line results.

For more information, about Regent SNAP or to request a demonstration, please visit www.regentSNAP.com, or call 800-639-0927.

About StraighterLine

StraighterLine is a leader in making quality college education more affordable. StraighterLine's programs are a great way to tackle the escalating cost of four-year college tuition and avoid a mountain of student debt.

StraighterLine offers two innovative programs for getting started on a college degree: college courses for only $99 a month plus $39 per course (one-time fee) and the "Freshman Year for $999" program. Both programs are designed to help college students and their families address rampant rising tuition costs of college education. Students can take freshman-level college courses and realize savings of more than 90% versus the first-year tuition at many colleges. Students with the time and ability to complete course materials in a shorter time can realize even greater savings. In addition, now High School students can take StraighterLine courses as an AP Test Prep alternative or as dual credit program. StraighterLine has received approval for the following online college courses to be listed as AP courses: Economics I: Macroeconomics, Economics II: Microeconomics, English Composition, and General Calculus I. All programs include up to 10 hours of one-on-one instructional support.

Students who successfully complete StraighterLine online college courses receive credit when they enroll with any school in our rapidly expanding network of regionally accredited partner colleges and universities. In addition, the American Council on Education's College Credit Recommendation Service (ACE CREDIT - www.acenet.edu/acecredit/) has also evaluated and recommended college credit for StraighterLine courses. ACE CREDIT helps students gain access to academic credit at colleges and universities for formal courses and examinations taken in settings outside traditional higher education. A number of StraighterLine courses have also been reviewed and authorized by the College Board as AP* Program courses.

StraighterLine also offers a tuition assistance program as a benefit for companies to provide to employees interested in earning their college degree.

For information, visit http://www.straighterline.com or call 202-507-7020 or 1-877-str8erline (1-877-787-8375).

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